Lahore High Court (LHC) Justice Umer Ata Bandial on Friday issued a notice to the Punjab government, seeking a report till March 6, on a petition challenging the government’s ban on kite-flying and Basant celebrations. The judge was hearing a petition filed by Waqas Ahmed, who submitted that the government’s ban on kite-flying had deprived many families, who were associated with the old cultural activity in Punjab, of their livelihoods.
He said that under the constitution, it was the right of every citizen to earn his or her livelihood by honourable means, therefore the state could not deprive the people of their sources of income. The petitioner said that apart from making thousands of families jobless, the ban had deprived the people of a healthy source of entertainment. He said that the threats to the lives of motorcyclists could be overcome by some alternate means but the government chose to ban Basant altogether. The court, after hearing the arguments, sought a written reply from the district and provincial government by March 6.
YELLOW CAB APPLICATION PETITION: LHC on Friday sought a report from the Punjab chief secretary on a contempt of court petition filed by a girl, who had sought a vehicle under the Punjab Chief Minister Yellow Cab Scheme. Justice Muhmmad Khalid Mahmood Khan directed the chief secretary to look into the matter and decide the petitioner’s application in accordance with law within two weeks.
Hina Ehtisham, a master’s degree holder, contended that the chief secretary had not decided her application so far, accusing the Punjab Chief Minister Yellow Cab Scheme of political discrimination. She pleaded that she had applied for the provision of a cab after fulfilling all requirements set by the government but her application was subjected to discrimination for being the daughter of a Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) activist. She prayed to initiate contempt proceedings against the chief secretary and direct him to issue her a cab as she was an eligible applicant. After recording the contentions, Justice Khalid Mahmood Khan directed the chief secretary to file a report on the petition within 10 days.
PETITION AGAINST SALES TAX AT RESTAURANTS: LHC on Friday issued notices to the federal and Punjab governments on a petition challenging the levy of sales tax on restaurants.
Muhammad Ishaq and two other restaurant owners submitted that their restaurants were registered with the Lahore Inland Revenue Department. They pleaded that the restaurant business fell under the domain of services and the federal government could not levy sales tax on services under the constitution. The petitioners’ counsel contended that the government was taking coercive measures against his clients to recover the tax. Justice Ijazul Ahsan issued notices to the federal and provincial governments and sought their replies by February 1.
LHC CJ LAUNCHES RESEARCH CENTRE: LHC Chief Justice Azmat Saeed launched a revolutionary step aimed at capacity building of the judges by inaugurating a Research Centre in the Judges Library Hall on Friday. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, in-charge of the IT branch, has been assigned the task to supervise the project, while Sessions Judge Javed Rasheed Mehboobi will assist him. Five judges have been selected from the Punjab district judiciary and appointed as research associates. To boost the quality of judgments, the centre has been equipped with latest facilities such as internet and fax. Moreover, the judges working at Principal Seat, as well as the judges holding court in Rawalpindi, Bahawalpur and Multan will benefit from the facility. The research associates, manning the centre, will promptly supply information to the judges’ queries sent through e-mail or fax. Furthermore, the books have also been categorised topic-wise to avoid inconvenience in finding books to the judges.
MOTHER OF FORMER LHC CJ PASSES AWAY: The mother of former LHC CJ Zahid Hussain passed away at the age of 90, on Friday. She was laid to rest at Chak Kazain in Shakargarh Tehsil, Narowal district Narowal. A large number of judges, judicial officers, lawyers and relatives of the deceased attended the funeral. The Qul will be held at the Lahore residence of the former CJ at 305, G-3, Johar Town on Saturday (today) at 3:00pm.
LHC seeks report on kite-flying ban
